The Phillies have seen Benson throw three times this offseason, once in December with several teams and twice recently in private sessions. Today could be an important day in their negotiations because Benson is scheduled to throw for a handful of teams tomorrow. If other teams like what they see, it could drive up his asking price. But Benson has indicated that he wants to play in Philadelphia, so perhaps that won't be a major factor.
But the Phillies feel Benson is healthy enough to continue talks with Clifton. They certainly could use some depth in their rotation, and a little competition for Adam Eaton wouldn't hurt.
*
The first Philliescast of 2008 is up. From what I hear, you can actually subscribe to this podcast through iTunes. So, yes, you can download the Philliescast and hear my melodic voice while you're at the gym -- I guarantee my voice will help you lift twice as much as you ever had lifted before (for me that's going from a 20-pound bench press to a 40-pound bench press) -- or trying to fall asleep.
Comments (52)
Benson has indicated that he WANTS to pitch in Philly? Thats gotta be a first. I wonder what he loves more about Philly? The unforgiving fans or the launching pad of a park?
Posted by Joe | February 8, 2008 10:53 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 10:53
Maybe he wants the opportunity to pitch for a winning team.
Posted by Tim | February 8, 2008 10:55 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 10:55
phills should take the risk and sign benson at a resonable contract. Eaton will be his usual self so depth will be needed.
Posted by mitch | February 8, 2008 11:00 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:00
I'm just being sarcastic Tim. It seems most pitchers shy away from CBP and some, like Glavine, blast CBP publicly. Philly is also notorius for unforgiving fans. If I were a pitcher and wasn't born and raised in Philly watching the Phillies, I'd look for a bigger place to play 81 of my games so the next time a contract comes up, my numbers look better.
Better numbers means more money.
Posted by Joe | February 8, 2008 11:05 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:05
Why not? Sign Colon too. Then trade for the Pirate's Matt Morris. Look with the weak arms we have, why not get some bargains and then pray that some will come through. Who knows? Maybe some team will take Eaton and Helms in a trade for someone that could help later on.
Posted by Glenn Koons | February 8, 2008 11:07 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:07
I don't diagree Joe - but if his options are a team like Tampa Bay for example, or Philly, maybe he thinks the opportunity to pitch for a contender is just more appealing. Plus, maybe he sees the handwriting on the wall for Eaton and possibly the aging Moyer or young Kendrick, and knows that if he's healthy, there's a pretty good chance he ends up in the rotation at some point.
If he pitches well and helps this team make a playoff run, his next contract would be OK.
Posted by Tim | February 8, 2008 11:10 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:10
Why not? Sign Colon too. Then trade for the Pirate's Matt Morris. Look with the weak arms we have, why not get some bargains and then pray that some will come through. Who knows? Maybe some team will take Eaton and Helms in a trade for someone that could help later on.
I agree. I don't think you have to break the bank with some of these signing. Take a few roles of the dice and hope one comes up good. For sure some will crap out, but one good spin will make it worth it for all parties.
Posted by PaulW | February 8, 2008 11:11 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:11
I think there is a catch 22 to Eaton. No team will take him unless he proves he can pitch effectively. If he proves himself, the Phils will keep him. That is, unless a few of the others pitch well making Eaton expendable.
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2008 11:12 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:12
I know that I'm a lightening rod but whomever is using my handle please stop...
It's un called for. Out wit me don't succumb in such a weak way!
Posted by Truth | February 8, 2008 11:12 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:12
If he pitches well and helps this team make a playoff run, his next contract would be OK.
I agree. Pitching well in the playoff will be worth more to him than sitting at home at playoff time with a ERA a .1 or .2 lower.
Posted by PaulW | February 8, 2008 11:14 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:14
In the last blog truth said the phils should have given schilling 20 million but they were too cheap. go read the headlines and let me know how that would have worked out right now.......... another blowhard dope that just screams with no logic.
Posted by timm | February 8, 2008 11:21 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:21
"a little competition for Adam Eaton wouldn't hurt."
A true contender for understatement of this, still young, year.
/Morty
Morty and Moishe Recommend...
Posted by Morty | February 8, 2008 11:24 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:24
Truth says someone is posting using his handle.
Lets give him the benefit of the doubt. He is too knowledgable to miss the latest on Schilling. Can you imagine if the Phillies did sign him? What would these blogs look like right about now? Last year Garcia and Eaton, this year Schilling. Whew, it would get ugly.
I wouldn't be surprised if Lowell gets hurt this year too.
Posted by Joe | February 8, 2008 11:26 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:26
Out wit truth?? Is this even possible!?! Who would dare such a challenging task?
Posted by clinton, nj | February 8, 2008 11:33 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:33
Truth people are using your tag and its believable because you say the same exact thing over and over again.
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2008 11:54 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:54
I hope the Phils sign Kris Benson to a minor league deal. Let him handles the strikes and Anna handle the balls.
Posted by GM-Carson | February 8, 2008 11:59 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:59
Anonynous is right truth. Do you think all the other MLB teams are perfect and the Phils are the only ones that make mistakes? Every team has its problems;front office,managers/coaches,players,minors,stadium,payroll,owners,fans ect. They all make bad choices and or things back fire on them. Try being a fan of some team like the Pirates,Rangers,Oakland, KC or Minnesota right about now, even the Dodgers(big market) and see how that goes. Then you'd really have something to whine about.
Posted by clinton, nj | February 8, 2008 12:30 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 12:30
The Daily News should be lobbying hard for Kris and Anna Benson to come to Philly. They'll have their front page stories for the next year.
Posted by Steve | February 8, 2008 12:39 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 12:39
Yes, all teams make mistakes, especially with pitching. Boston did with Gagne, Yankees did with Randy Johnson, the Angels did, the Cubs did. The Phils aren't the only team to make pitching mistakes. The one question I had for Truth was never answered. Why do you hang around here if you think so little of the Phillies? I wouldn't go to the Pirates blog to tell them their team sucks, or the Royals or any other team except the Mets.
Hey, thats it, you're a Mets fan.
Posted by Joe | February 8, 2008 12:41 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 12:41
You Filly fans are all so defensive because you all know you root for a team with a pathetic history. The losingest team in professional sports history. Any sport. 10,028 losses and counting. What a hoot!
Posted by AJ | February 8, 2008 12:54 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 12:54
Well, in the Phillies defense, only a baseball team that's been around for 125 years or so would even have a shot at 10,000 losses. I missed the first 90 years of those 10,000 losses so I try not to get too down about it.
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2008 12:59 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 12:59
Actually, we're not defensive AJ, we're just conversing with people like yourself, a Mets fan, that have the ample free time to chat on Phillies blogs. Its a great ooprtunity for someone like myself, that doesn't bother going to a Mets site.
Posted by RG | February 8, 2008 1:00 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 13:00
Then why do you hang around here AJ? Do you get some sort of pleasure in reminding fans of their team's failures? Do you really have nothing better to do? To me, hanging around a blog of a team you don't like just to inflame the passionate fans there is more pathetic than any team history in any sport.
AJ and Truth are the pathetic ones. Get a life you losers.
Posted by Joe | February 8, 2008 1:01 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 13:01
I say take a chance and bring up some of their young guys. Carrasco, Outman, Savery, Bisenius, one of those guys. Remember. the Rockies beat the phils (and won down the stretch) last year with young arms, not overpriced veterans who were mediocre even when healthy...
Posted by PhilldUp | February 8, 2008 1:21 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 13:21
The young guys aren't ready to come up. Outman's the closest and even he won't be ready until mid-year at the earliest. Savery's a long way away from the big League. You can score on a short-term deal with a veteran (ala Moyer).
Posted by Steve | February 8, 2008 1:34 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 13:34
Joey, I think the better question is why do you waste your time defending a team that
-won't spend money
-sold you a "were a small market team" for 15 yrs-
-Won't pay there superstars
-Won't commit to winning, Schilling and Rolens gripe
-Stuck with Ed Wade for 8 yrs
-NEVER makes the big acquisition at the deadline
-Covers up for players like Brett "the wife beater" Myers
-Shall I go on speaking the Truth?
Posted by Truth | February 8, 2008 1:49 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 13:49
Truth what team do you defend?
Let me guess:
The Red Sox last year?
Or maybe the Cardinals the year before?
I would rather defend my team and be a true fan than be a fair weather fan like yourself....
Posted by Truth plays catcher for AJ | February 8, 2008 2:12 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 14:12
Does anyone else think the Phils should go get Shag Williams?
Sorry, I've been reading the Sixers boards too much.
Seriously, either Benson or Colon are big risks for big-league money, but no one is going to offer them any real money, so why not try to get both?
Does anyone else think Joe Savery should get a shot at the first injury-necessitated start of the year. He was a big-time college pitcher, and his stuff will be unknown to all of the batters he will be facing.
I can't take another year of crossing my fingers for Fabio Castro to make it through five innings without giving up 10 runs, only to pass it to the bullpen, (requiring me to cross my fingers for four more innings).
Posted by BX | February 8, 2008 2:14 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 14:14
You win Truth, we've all been defending ownership. Reread all the posts and it is clearly evident that we aren't talking baseball, we're defending ownership. Only you have been brave enough to tell the truth. The 2008 Courage in Obsessively Whiny Blogging goes to Truth!
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2008 2:49 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 14:49
-won't spend money....old news, will rank in top 10 in 2008
-sold you a "were a small market team" for 15 yrs.....old news, haven't said that in at least 5 years
-Won't pay there superstars....not true, see Myers, Rollins, Utley
-Won't commit to winning, Schilling and Rolens gripe...really, really old news, you need to get out more dude
-Stuck with Ed Wade for 8 yrs...2 yr old news
-NEVER makes the big acquisition at the deadline....Ed Wade era, old news, again who did you want them to get, as usual, no answer
-Covers up for players like Brett "the wife beater" Myers....didn't cover up but handled badly, I'll give you .5 point on that one
-Shall I go on speaking the Truth?....survey says...please don't, spare us LOL
Posted by jimmymack | February 8, 2008 3:17 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 15:17
jimmymack - good post and good points......
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2008 3:22 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 15:22
Fillies: 125 years...4 pennants....ONE WS win.
Metropolitans: 46 years..4 pennants...TWO WS wins.
Posted by AJ | February 8, 2008 4:06 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 16:06
AJ what happened last season?
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2008 4:17 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 16:17
I love how other fans try and make of the fact that Phillies are the losingest franchise. I'm proud of that fact, because the only reason they are is because the Phillies have been in same city and have kept there name longer than any other franchise in any other sport. That just goes to show that Philly has the most loyal fans, we are the only city able to maintain a franchise in their city for as long as the Phillies have been in Philadelphia.
I'd rather be a loyal fan than a bandwagon fan.....
Truth brings up the Myers wife beating incident, lets see how the Mets handle cock fighting Pedro...
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2008 4:42 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 16:42
Roosters fighting vs beating up on a woman, your wife no less. If that is the same to you Anonymous, you have a problem.
Posted by AJ | February 8, 2008 4:46 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 16:46
Its AJ=MORON people, get it right, he earned it!
Posted by clinton, nj | February 8, 2008 4:47 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 16:47
AJ, I mean Michael Vick, did his wife die for entertainment purposes?
And by no means do I think Myers was right, he should have gotten time, but his wife didn't press charges. (probably cause she was afraid of getting beaten)
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2008 4:49 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 16:49
Has anyone actually seen the cock fighting video? Its pretty disturbing....Delgado is in the background laughing as one of the roosters dies. I think the MLB must have had something to do with taking it off youtube right away to avoid some terrible publicity.
Posted by Roger | February 8, 2008 4:56 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 16:56
AJ=MORON, what happened to the mets last year?? Oh and your beloved cluth 3rd baseman is hitting a huge 17 points higher in the postseason than Feliz....LOOKOUT!!
Posted by clinton, nj | February 8, 2008 5:00 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 17:00
Anonymous writes: "the Phillies have been in the same city and have and kept their name longer than any other franchise". Wrong again.
The Phillies were from 1890-1942 and 1945-2007.
They were called the Blue Jays in 1943 and 44.
The oldest continuous franchise name is the Pitt. Pirates 1891 to 2007.
You Filly fans really have problems with correct stats and facts.
Posted by AJ | February 8, 2008 5:05 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 17:05
AJ=Moron, way to make up false info, that was the Philadelphia athletic franchise, now known as the Oakland A's
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2008 5:09 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 17:09
Hillary....There really is no point in debating Wright vs. Feliz anymore. It's ridiculous.
Posted by AJ | February 8, 2008 5:11 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 17:11
Who gives a SH!T about anything before the year your born, why do we always bring up ancient crap? Its not like any of us were around in 1890. Its what have you done for me lately, and that would be 2007 NL EAST CHAMPS!!!!
Posted by clinton, nj | February 8, 2008 5:13 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 17:13
Hillary...you again don't know what you're talking about. It WAS the Fillies. Look it up before popping off, Hillary.
The more you blog, the dumber you sound.
Posted by AJ | February 8, 2008 5:17 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 17:17
Thanks Anonymous for using the correct spelling! Whats the matter AJ=MORON, cant defend those equally bad postseason stats? Sure Wrights good, but he will be traded to complete that whole dominican allstar team, cause he will be blamed for the HISTORIC COLLAPSE because he cant throw lol
Posted by clinton, nj | February 8, 2008 5:20 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 17:20
AJ=MORON, who or what WAS the Phillies? What was I popping off about?
Posted by clinton, nj | February 8, 2008 5:26 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 17:26
OK Hillary...you're exonerated...it was good old Anonymous who can't get the facts straight.
Posted by AJ | February 8, 2008 5:42 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 17:42
Hillary...And when it comes to historic collapses...how 'bout those '64 Fillies... blew a 6 1/2 game lead with only 12 games remaining...even worse than last years Mets.
Posted by AJ | February 8, 2008 5:46 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 17:46
Thats what I thought!!
Posted by clinton, nj | February 8, 2008 5:49 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 17:49
Sorry, the mets take the cake! I dont know about you AJ=MORON, but I wasnt alive then, so that one doesnt matter as much. Plus we know all the people posting here lived through last years NL EAST CHAMPIONSHIP run for the Phils and will never forget it!!!!! Thats what matters, the mets CHOKED it away, and the Phils won it!!
Posted by clinton, nj | February 8, 2008 6:00 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 18:00
I get the feeling that none of you Filly fans like me.:)
Y'all realize that it's all in fun, right?
Look, there hasn't been many times when both the Mets and Phils were good at the same time. It was always one good, one bad. When the Phils had a contending team, the Mets didn't. And vice-versa.
These last two years were very competitive. We both have good teams, and we are all compassionate fans.
Spring training is just about here. It will be a great race. LET THE BEST TEAM WIN!
Posted by AJ | February 8, 2008 6:05 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 18:05
Actually the Philadelphia Phillies official franchise name has never changed since they were founded in 1883 (the same year as the NY Giants). The only thing that changed was that they put a Blue Jay on the shirtsleeve of a Jersey that still had PHILLIES written across the chest. The Philadelphia Phillies is the oldest continuously operating franchise in a)baseball and b)American professional sports history. The Pittsburgh Pirates weren't formed until 1887.
Posted by TacoBellLover | February 9, 2008 11:56 PM
Posted on February 9, 2008 23:56